Extension

Planting season is quickly approaching, and with the warmer temperatures we have experienced this week, it has a lot of farmers itching to get a jump start on the growing season. Sometimes our farm work requires us to get on the main roads. Let us keep in mind the farm vehicle requirements for Kentucky provided by the Kentucky State Police.

Moving farm implements are required to have a lead escort vehicle if a vehicle and load exceeds ten (10) feet, six (6) inches wide but does not exceed twelve (12) feet wide.

Most of us hear early on that we should drink water for good health, but some of us may not know why it is so important.

More than two-thirds of our bodies are made of water. It helps lubricate our joints, and without water, our organs could not properly function. Water is also essential in helping us remove waste from our bodies.

If you do not consume enough water, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can cause headaches, mood changes, fever, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and kidney problems among others.

Tall fescue, specifically Kentucky 31, is a cool-season grass that is widely grown throughout Kentucky and the eastern United States, because it is resistant to many unfavorable conditions including drought tolerance and insect resistance.

However, the very reason for its resiliency is also its Achilles heel. It contains a harmful fungal endophyte that causes fescue toxicosis in cattle and horses. Affected animals get sick, have reduced weight gains, reproductive problems and other issues.

As you drive around the county, you may have noticed that familiar odor over the past couple of weeks.

Two species of skunks live in Kentucky: the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and the spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius). The striped skunk is very common and found in every county while the spotted skunk is rare and found in the southeastern corner of the state.

Do you find it difficult to keep track of your monthly banking activity?

If so, you may want to consider automating your finances.

Over the past several years, financial institutions have introduced services that allow you to pay bills and transfer money between accounts automatically after a one-time set up of your preferences. Automating your finances is an easy way to guarantee that your bills are paid on time and that you are on track to meeting your financial goals.

It seems like we see the typical donuts and pastries at every work meeting we attend. This can be trouble for individuals trying to maintain a healthy diet, considering a single donut or pastry could contain 300 calories or more. Next time, try serving some healthier food options.

Below are some suggestions for healthier snacks for any time of day.

Pass the water. Be sure to have cups on hand for a water fountain or bottled water as a beverage option. Bypass the sugar-sweetened beverages including soda and fruit juices.

Last week, we focused our attention on choosing seeds for our gardens. For all gardeners, we aspire to have a successful gardening season—full of bounty and enjoyment. Let us continue the gardening discussion with some helpful tips to keep in mind for your garden.

Plan your garden on paper before you begin. Draw a scale model of your garden space.

Plan to plant perennials like asparagus, rhubarb, chives, and horseradish along one side of the garden since they may produce for six to twelve years.

The recent mild weather may have many of you thinking about planning your spring garden. Looking through a seed catalog, store rack or online product offering can be overwhelming, since there are so many varieties available for each crop. So, how do we choose from the plethora of options?